[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 130 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11751-S11752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL CHAMBERLIN

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to Rear Admiral Bob Chamberlin, on his 
retirement from the United States Navy after 33 years of distinguished 
and dedicated service to the nation.
  Rear Admiral Chamberlin is a native of Massachusetts. He graduated 
from high school in Westwood and went on to earn his bachelor's degree 
at the University of Wisconsin, where he distinguished himself as a 
first-tier ROTC graduate. Shortly after receiving his commission in 
1966, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Hisseem in Pearl Harbor. From there 
he went on to serve in Vietnam, gaining the respect of all who shared 
duty with him and earning numerous decorations and awards, including 
the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Vietnamese Medal of 
Honor First Class, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
  Following his Vietnam tour, he came home to Massachusetts and earned 
an MBA degree from Harvard. He went on to serve in a variety of supply 
and financial management assignments, ashore and afloat. He was soon 
regarded by his superiors as a tireless and innovative logistician. Ten 
years after attending the Naval Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia, 
he returned to the school as an instructor and course developer.
  In 1987, after serving as director of stock control at the Aviation 
Supply Office in Philadelphia and as supply officer on the U.S.S. 
Nimetz, he was promoted to captain and was assigned to the Naval Supply 
Systems Command in Washington, D.C., where he served as the project 
officer on a major supply-system modernization initiative. Later, he 
was appointed to be the Command's vice commander.
  In July 1993, he was promoted to rear admiral, and for the past two 
years, he has served as the principal deputy director of the Defense 
Logistics Agency--America's combat support agency. His vision and 
leadership have been vital to the agency's award-winning business-
process initiatives to ensure that the nation's armed forces receive 
the supplies and equipment they need, and in a way that offers the best 
possible return to the American taxpayer.
  Admiral Chamberlin has been in the forefront of the ongoing advances 
in military logistics. His exemplary military career comes to a close 
this month, but his contributions and achievements will continue to be 
felt throughout the Navy and the Department of Defense.
  Bob Chamberlin has served his country with great ability, valor, 
loyalty, and integrity. On the occasion of his retirement from the 
United States Navy, I commend him for his outstanding service. He is 
Massachusetts'

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finest, and I wish him well in the years ahead.

                          ____________________